Automobile trailer



Nov. 17, 1925.1 1,562,371

H; L. sHAN'Ks AUTOMOBILE TRAILER Filed Jan. 24. 1925 4 shets-sheet s mis;

.Ma/f 4 f6 4/7 45 a NOVI 1vJ 1925. 1,562,311

H. L. SHAN KS AUTOMOBILE TRAILER A Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES HOWARD L. sHANirs,Y or Mnsicx, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMOBILE TRAILER( Appiicatipn nica January' 24, 1925.- sei-iai No. 4,474. f

To @YZ 'zu/10m it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HOWARD L. SHANKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mesick, in the county of `VeXford and State of Michigan, have invented certainlnew and useful Improvements in Automobile Trailers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had Ato the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automobile trailers and more particularly to a device for the use of automobile tourists and adapted to be attached to the rear of an automobile to be drawn' thereby.

An important object of the invention is to provide a compact convenient device of this character including storageV space for the necessary equipment of the automobile tourist and providing a sleepingV space, tables and other such desirable equipment.

A further and more particular object of the invention is the provision of a plurality of tables for a device of this character, one

of which serves for meals andthe other serves as a work table for the cleaning of" utensils and the like, these tables being so constructed that they are compactlyfolded and stored within the body of the trailer.

A. further objectl of the invention is'fto provide in a combination of two such tables with a trailer a construction suchv thatv the trailer supports one end of one of the tables while this vtable 'serves 'to support one end of the other of the tables and provides not only a housing forthis second table'vbut likewise storage spacein the form'of 'drawers for the reception vof utensilsandthe like. A still further object Vof theinvention to provide a combination" of the `structures of the tables such that the two tables,`when in closed relation, provide vc losed compartments for the reception of utensils. y

Other objects and' advantageslie in the details of construction hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying draw# ings, wherein y f Figure 1 is a perspective/.view of a trailer constructed -in `accordance with my invention, the forward compartment being shown in the open position and the bed compartment being partially opened; y v Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opposite end of the trailer,A the dining and work tables being l,both shown partially *.vithdrawn; I i

Figure 3 is a vertical klongitudinal sectional vlew through thetrailer.; y

Figure 1 is a longitudinal transverse sectional View taken through the trailer;

Figure 5 is a section-on the lineir-#yof Figure 3; 4:v j

yFigure 6 is av section on theline 6-6 of Figure 3; and f Figure 7 is a perspective of the work table removed, -the-legs of the'table being shown in the supporting position in dotted lines. Referring now more particularly tov the drawings, the trailer comprises a body rec'-` tangular in bothcross and longitudinal'section having a bottom 10, side walls 11, atop' 12vand end walls 13 and '14s..k The side walls 11 andthe end walls 13-and 14 project aboveA the top wall 12 a short distance,-for' a purpose presently to appear. f

Supported `from the bottom -in l,suitable bearings 16 is an aXle 17 arrangedcentrally of the body and yhaving at its ends support-V .ing wheels 1S. These bearings are connected with' the body by springs `19if so de-y sired. The body is formed with a tongue 20 secured at its rear end to the axle 17 ntermediate its ends to a bolster 21 carried by the body and having at its forward end a hitch 22 whereby it may be connected with the rear end ofan automobile. At its sides, the body is provided with the usual downwardlyswinging supporting, standards V23) engaging theground to maintainithe body in rigid position when the ltrailer is .detached `from the vehicle by which it .-is drawn. These standards may be, during transportation, swung along the sides of the body and held in such position.y In the space provided between the upper edges of the side and end walls and the upper surface of the top 12, a spring 2 4Iis mounted and to the end walls' 13 and 14'` at each side of each\thereof,"a false top 25 lisj pivoted. This false top is formed inftwo. sections 25n and 25b adapted to be swung outwardly beyond the sides of .thevehicle and when swung in this position 'to abut againstthe upper. edges of the outer faces ofthe side walls, as more clearly shown in Fig. 5 to limit their downward movement Pivoted to the sidewalls at each endthereof are 'supporting brackets 26 whichv may be.

swung lnwardly against the ,outerfaces of the side .Wals -or outwardly to` .enoage be.

neath the sectiQnS 2.5, 25b .ofthe alse .top

i to support the same.

' titions 34, 39.

The sections of the false top have .catches 27 which, whenrin closed position, engage coacting elements 28 carried by the end walls and when in open.Y

position engage similar elements 29y carried by the brackets 26. The false top when in closed position is in spaced relation tol the upper surface of the spring so as to provide a space for the storage ofv bedding which preferably consists of a mattress section 30 ofthe same width as the body and two mattress sections 31 of one-half this width or of-thesamewidth as the top sections 25a., 25D. YVhen in the closed position, thetrailer is protected by. a cover 32 engaging fasteners 33 carried by the body with its lowerlr end'and serving, in addition to its function, as a protection to maintain the brackets infposition. against thesides and prevent movement thereof whichY would cause unpleasant noises.

The end walls 13 and 14 are open betweentheside, top and bottom walls and adjacent the .end wall l?) but in spacedvrelae tion thereto,.a partition 3.4 extends transe yersely'ofthe bodyand connects such tog,

.sideand bottom walls. A longitudinally kextending` partition 35' connects the partition 34, top and bottom walls and vhas its for.- wardedge immediately adjacent the openingfof the forward end wall 13. To the forward ,end wall 13 is pivoted aV door 36 com-V bining. with the partitions 34 and and top, bottom andisidewalls to.` provide .a pair of closed compartments 35?", 35DY through which access. is had to the. door ce.. The doorV 3.6 Visprefer-ablyl pivoted at .its lower end and this pivotal mountingispreferably such that the door,w-hen in openposition, rests upon the Ytongue 20. to be. supported thereby.V in horizontal position andthus afs ford a shelf upon which the contents ofy the compartments .may berl arranged. A latch Wis provided for holding the door 3G in closed position. f

Parlalleling the2partition 5,4 is a similar. transversely extending partition 38. conneet-ed withthe partition 3.4 centrally by a longitudinally extending.k partition v3.9 and at. the sides of. this partition by horizontally disposedshelves 40. Opposite side walls be.` tween the partitions .34, i 38.- are prmlided wth'doors .41 aording access to thecompartments 42,' 43rr formed'between the. par:y 'I hesel 'doors are provided with latches 42@ whereby they may. be held in closed position.v Y f The end wall 14 is likewise openbetween theside, top and bottom.walls.and has at-. tached to the side walls at: the opening, vertically extending bumper, strips 44., A frame45v is slidable through .thisfopening fitting fairly closely betweelrthe sidewalls at the bumperstnips andthe ytcp andbottom walls. Thsframe includes a top wall 4.6.,

compartment and has pivot-ed to its bottom wall 49 atntheouter end thereof a door 52 of greater "width and depththan the casing and coacting with a latch 53 ,when the casing is fully housed within the compartment 5l "of the body to maintain the casing v within kthisI compartment and to seal the compartment. When the casing is sid out of thebody, this. door may be swung downwardly exposing the outer end of the casing and engaging the ground, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2 to support the outer end of the casing vwhen withdrawnfrom the com: pariment. The inner end of the casing being retained within this compartment willv be supported from the body of the trailer.

The casing as a whole forms. a table, the top 46 forming the table top. Thisk casing is provided with a substantially centrally disposed horizontally extending partition 54 extending throughout the length of yth.e cas- I ing'an'd at the forward end of the casing supported by a vertical wall 55. Slidable upon the, upper surface of this partition is a worktable 56, the upper surface of which is spaced below the lower surface of the top46. of the. casing a considerable distance for a pur-pose presently to appear. Secured tothe wor-lr table. 5G at. its rear end and upon the upper .surface thereof is a transversely extending partition 57, the upper surface of which` comes into close. engagement with the under surface of the top 46, this partition being of the same width as the. tabletop. Secured tothe inner faces of the sides. 47, 48 of the casing above the work tabletop 56, and, at the outer end vof the space' between thepar-ttion .54 and top 4:6 are stopblocks 58 .against which lthe, ends ofl thsparttion engage to limit the movelil() ment ofthe worlr table out of the compart- 5 ment within which it. is housed.

Pivoted. to the forward end of the work table, as at .59., is a leg'structure 60 swingable. aboutk the pivotsthereof to' a vertical position Where the upper ends. 0f the legs work table top and is connected with the partition 57 by longitudinally extending partitions 62, 63 andv 64, all of the partitions 57, 6l, 62, 63 and 64having their upper surfaces slidably engaging the under surface of the top 46 so that closed compartments arel formed between these partitions, the work table top yand the under surface of the main table top when the work table is housed within the casing. These compartments are exposed when the work table is withdrawn and may be utilized for-the storage of silverware, pans 'and the like. Between the bottom 49 of the casing and the partition 54, a space is provided Vin which are mounted vdrawers 65 opening through the sidewall 48 of the casing.

When it is desired to employ tables, the latch 53 is released and the casing 45 drawn outwardly to its fullest extent when the door 52 is swung downwardly until its lower edge comes into engagement ywith the ground to support the outer end ofthe casing. This exposes fthe outer end of the work table which may then be grasped and borne out to its fullest extent and the legs thereof swung downwardly to support the outer end. Attention is directed tothe fact that sulicient play may be provided by the structure hereinbefore recited to permit some slight inclination of the tables with relation to one another, thus compensating for any inequalities of the ground upon which the trailer is disposed. When the casing is withdrawn, the drawers 65 arey accessible and the contents may be removed. These drawers are ordinarily intended for the reception of such articles as are only employed at meal time, the compartments 35?, 35b and 42 and 43 providing ample storage room for remaining articles such as additional supplies of water, fuel and the like and the toilet articles and additional groceries needed by the party.

It will be obvious that the structure hereinbefore set forth is capable of a considerable range of change and modification without in any manner departing from the spirit of my invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except' as hereinafter claimed.

l. The combination with a body structure having an opening in one wall thereof,

a table slidable into and out of the body through the opening and a member hinged to the outer end of the table along the lower edge thereof and of greater `size than the opening, said member being swingable upon the hinges thereof to a vertical position where its free edge abuts the ground to support the outer end of the table when in extended position or to a position where it .abuts the body at the sides Aof the .opening when the table is siidwahm` the may, i

vand means forlocking said member in the last namedvposition'to thereby retain the table within the body. v

2Q The combination with a body structure having an opening in one wall thereof, a table slidable into and out of the body through the opening and a member hinged to the outer end of the table along the lower edge thereof andof greater size than; the opening, saidmember .being swingable upon the hinges thereof to ka vertical position where its free edge abuts the ground to support the outerv end of the table when in eX- abuts the body at the sides of the opening when the table is slid within the body, and means for locking said member in the last named position to thereby retain the Vtable Within the body, said table hangin the form of a casing having a compartment opening through one wall thereof, said opening being disclosed when themember is in the first named position. l t

3. The combination with a bodystructurc having an opening in one wallzthereof, a table slidable into and out 'of ythe'body through the opening and a member hinged to the outer end of the table along Vthelower edge thereof and of greater' size than 'the opening, said member being swingable'upon the hinges thereof to a vertical Vposition where its free edge abutsy the ground to support the outer end of the tablewhen in eX'- Vtended position or to a position vwhere it abuts the body at the sides of ther opening when the table is slid within thefbody, means for locking` said member in the last named tended position or `to a` position where`v it position to thereby retain the table y'vithin the body, said table being in thcjform of'a l' casing having a compartment opening through one wall thereof,vsaid openinglbcing disclosed when the member is in the first named position, and a second table con tained within the compartment and'withdrawable therefrom through said opening.

4. In a folding table structure for` trailv ers and the like, a main table having the usual top and body formed to provide a .115

compartment beneaththe top, a second table arranged within the compartment and slidabletherefrom through an opening formed in one end wall of the compartment, a foldingv leg structure for the last named table and supporting the outer end when extended from the compartment and a swinging leg structure for the first named table position-V able to support the end of the first named table having the opening for the compartment or to close the opening of the compartu ment.

5. The combination with a body structure having an opening in one wall thereof, a table slidable into and out of the body through the opening and a member hinged to the outer end ofthe table, said member being swingable upon the hinges thereof to a vertical position Where its free edge abuts the ground to support the outer end of the table When in extended position or to a position Where it closes the opening When the table is slid Within the body, and means for looking said member in the last named position to thereby retain the table Within the body.

6. The combination with a body structure having an opening in one Wall thereof, a vtable slidable into and out of the body through the opening and a member hinged to the outer end of the table, said member beingv sivingable uponthe hinges thereof to a vertical position Where its free edge abuts the ground to support the outer end of the table when in extended position or to a position Where it abuts the outer end Wall of the table and closes the opening of the body when the table is slid within the body, and means for looking said member in the last named position to thereby retain the table Within the body, said table being in the form of a casingvhaving a storage compartment opening through the outer end Wall thereof, said opening being disclosed when the member is in .the first named position.

7. The combination with a body structure having an opening in one wall thereof, a table slidable into and out of the body through the opening anda member hinged Vto the outer end of the table, said member being sWingable upon the hinges thereof to a vertical position Where its free edge abuts the ground 'to support the outer end of the table when in extended position or to a position Where it closes the opening when the table is slid within the body, and means for locking said member in the last named position to thereby retain the table Within the body, said table including side opening drawers accessible when the tableis Withdrawn from the body.

8; The combinationwith a structurek having an opening, a table element slidable into and out of the structure through the opening and having its inner end supportedl by the structure When the table is in Withdrawn position, a common element for closingthe opening of the structure when the table is housed therein and for supporting the outer end of the table when Withdrawn, comprising a member hinged to the outer end of the table and swingable from a position Where it extends downwardly to engage the ground and supporting the outer. end of the table to a vertical position Where it abuts the outer end of the table, said member being of greater site than the outer end of the table and of greater size than said opening and means upon the structure and member for locking the member ini the last named position.

9. A. table providing a compartment beneath the top thereof, a second table slidable Within the compartmentv and having upstanding partitions thereon combining with the top of the second table to form trays for the reception of articles, the upper surface of said partitions coming into close engagement with the under surface of the top of the first named table when the second named table is housed Within the compartment to thereby seal the trays and prevent escape of the contents thereof, said partitions being arranged at the inner end of the top of said second table, a leg structure pivoted to the outer end of the secondtable and swingable about the pivots thereof from a vertical position Where it supports the outer end of the second table to a horizontal position Where it rests upon the upperl surface of said second table and means pivoted to,L the first named table for closing said opening.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my si gnature.

VHOWARD L; sHANKs. 

